Landmark Big Sur restaurant reopens

Resting atop lush ocean-front cliffs overlooking one of California's true natural gems, Rocky Point Restaurant has been a Big Sur destination for the past 60 years for those looking to dine with a view.

"It's a dramatic view changing every day and it attract my attention about a dozen years ago," new owner Peter Wang said.

But now Wang is looking for world class cuisine to be an attention grabber too. After buying the restaurant in December for $4.75 million, a price tag he called a "bargain," Wang pulled Chef Christophe Bony away from Carmel's prestigious Casanova restaurant.

The chef said he wants to instill his familiarly with French cooking on Rocky Point's menu.

"We're going to serve California Coastal cuisine, with a little European influence," Bony said. "We'll try to go local with the ingredients."

There is new carpet, tables and kitchen equipment, not to mention a wooden gazebo resting on the back porch. Wang hopes it'll turn into a social hub where businessmen are just a likely to meet over drinks as a family's are to come in and enjoy the sunset.

"The best picture I can dream of family with the kids, and friends and wonderful meal, together in this environment," said Wang. "We don't need anything else."

There was a bit of hiccup Monday during the restaurants grand re-opening: when it opened for lunch, 200 people showed up, which was way more than staff expected or was prepared for. The owners decided to close for dinner, and instead do additional training and now won't reopen until lunchtime Wednesday once the staff is up to speed.